Frequently Asked Questions
- Who do I see on my campus about resources for
military-connected students?
- How do I to start my VA educational benefits at CCAC?
- How do I obtain in-state residency?
- Do I need to come to MVS every semester?
- What programs offered through CCAC are approved for VA
funding?
- Can I change my program of study?
- What classes will the VA pay for?
- How many credits to I have to take to be a "full time" student
by VA standards?
- How does CCAC bill the VA?
- What happens if I drop a course during the semester?
- I receive Chapter 30 or Chapter 1606 educational benefits and
have to verify my enrollment each month. How do I do that?
- Can I get college credit for military service?
- How long will it take to receive my VA benefits?
- Are VA educational benefits taxable
1. Who do I see on my campus about resources for
military-connected students?
Each CCAC campus has an MVS Facilitator to support
military-connected students. Please see our homepage to find
your campus Veterans Services Facilitator.
2. How do I to start my VA educational benefits at
CCAC?
You can find steps for starting your benefits on our Getting Started page.
3. How do I obtain in-state residency?
Military connected students are all eligible for in-state,
in-county rates, which can be obtained by following the
instructions on our in-state,
in-county rates page.
4. Do I need to come to MVS every semester?
You need to complete an enrollment certification request form
every semester, however, can do so by coming to an MVS office on
your home campus, emailing veteransservices@ccac.edu,
or faxing your enrollment certification and schedule to
412-237-2765.
5. What programs offered through CCAC are approved for VA
funding?
Please visit the Department of Veterans Affairs WEAMS
website for an official list of what programs are approved
by the VA.
6. Can I change my program of study?
Yes. You need to change your program with CCAC's Registration
department and notify MVS of the change. We suggest getting a copy
of your change of major form from Registration for your
records.
7. What classes will the VA pay for?
When starting your enrollment with MVS, you will declare your
program of study, which is a program approved by the VA. Only
classes in your program of study will be authorized and approved
for payment by the VA. You can find out what courses fit in your
program by speaking to an academic advisor and completing a graduation
checksheet.
8. How many credits to I have to take to be a "full time"
student by VA standards?
To be considered "full time" for VA purposes, please refer to
the following charts for the appropriate semester.
Class
Length
Minimum Credits Required for VA Full Time Status
First
Summer
4 week session
= 3 credits
6 week session
= 4 credits
8 week session
= 6 credits
10 week session
= 7 credits
Second Summer
6 week session
= 4 credits
Fall and Spring
14 week session
= 12 credits
16 week session
= 12 credits
9. How does CCAC bill the VA?
MVS certifies the VA for your credit hours so that the VA can
begin processing your Monthly Allowance for Housing (MAH) stipend.
After the drop/add date, our office will bill them for your tuition
and fees. This allows students to change their schedules if
needed.
We wait until after drop/add because we only have to bill the VA
once for tuition and fees instead of after each drop or add,
mitigating many payment issues that students would otherwise face.
10. What happens if I drop a course during the
semester?
If you drop a course, you must notify CCAC MVS at so that they
can update the certification for the VA. This must be done even if
you have already notified the VA on the WAVE system. Course drops
and changes to your number of credits affect your rate of payment,
and failure to notify your campus MVS Facilitator in a timely
manner could result in an overpayment that you are required to pay
back.
11. I receive Chapter 30 or Chapter 1606 educational
benefits and have to verify my enrollment each month. How do I do
that?
You can verify your enrollment to the VA on the last calendar
day of the month, counting holidays, by using the
WAVE system or by calling 1-877-823-2378.
12. Can I get college credit for military
service?
Veterans and service members who are matriculating students may
earn up to 30 credits in United States Armed Forces Institute
courses, in which they have passed final exams, and for other
military education and training. The decision regarding the
granting of credit for these courses resides with CCAC. To see what
can be transferred, students should speak to an academic
advisor.
13. How long will it take to receive my VA
benefits?
Payments may take at least four to six weeks from the time the
enrollment certification is received by MVS and the courses are
certified.
14. Are VA educational benefits taxable?
No, Veteran's benefits, paid under any law and administered by
the VA should not be reported as income to the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS).
15. What is VA Work-Study and who is
eligible?
The VA work-study program is an excellent avenue for students to
supplement their income while attending school. Interested students
should contact the VA Facilitator at the college or university they
attend for position availability.